From Spooky DIY Halloween Decor to Stacked Paper Portraits

Stencils are often frowned upon in the art world as a form of cheating, but these stenciled art innovations indicate there is far more substance to this art form than meets the eye.

Over the past few decades street art has taken a hold of culture. Artists armed with cans of spray paint and other artistic paraphernalia take to the streets to beautify the occasionally grim urban landscape. There are many forms of street art, encompassing everything from stickering to massive freehand murals, but none of these methods have permeated popular culture quite like stencils.

Stencils are not just for school children in the midst of learning their letters, but have earned a legitimate place in artistic expression. They are utilized by countless artists, street and otherwise, to create graphic representations of the world around them. Through layering and, in some cases, the careful application of color these artist prove that even the lowly act of tracing can produce some astonishingly beautiful pieces.

Sure to change your mind about stencils, these stenciled art innovations are masterpieces in their own right.